A Review of Popular Electric Wheelchair Products

Several brands of electric wheelchairs are available both on and offline. With so many options to choose from, it is helpful to distinguish between the various features that each manufacturer and product offers. The following list of product and manufacturer reviews

Hoveround Electric Wheelchairs

Hoveround Corporation, founded in April 1992, is one of the leading Mobility device companies in the U.S. Hoveround designs, manufactures, sells, and services personal mobility vehicles like electric and manual wheelchairs, electric scooters and electric lifts. The company operates at a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility, which has received the ISO 9001 certification for design, manufacturing procedures and distribution.

Hoveround supplies mobility devices directly to customers, insurers and other public and private entities. The company handles every aspect of the client's mobility needs, right from evaluation to prescription and provider approval, delivery, training and service. The company employs therapists, nurses, rehab technology suppliers and assisting technology practitioners to cater to all needs of the customers. The most popular of Hoveround's products are the highly maneuverable MP4 and the powerful Teknique XHD, which can carry up to 500 pounds.

Pride Electric Wheelchair

Pride Mobility is a leading provider of mobility equipment. Pride
Mobility is well known for its Pride and Jazzy lines of electric
wheelchairs, which are the most popular electric wheelchairs on the
market.

Pride Mobility Scooters include the Sundancer, Rally, Celebrity, Maxima, Victory and Legend models.

Pride Mobility Jazzy is the most popular brand of electric wheelchair from Pride Mobility. The Jazzy range is known for its patented mid-wheel drive system, exceptional maneuverability and trendy designs. Available in many different models, the Jazzy range promises maximum performance with standard active-track suspension and enables easy assembling and disassembling. Powered with motors, and having a speed range of up to 4 mph, the Jazzy electric wheelchairs offer exceptional maneuverability control. They are also extremely user-friendly and convenient, having been designed with a patented mid-wheel drive design.

Quantum Rehab is a line of customized power positioning systems and mobility products. It includes Power Recline, Power Elevating and Power Articulating Legrest options.

Lift Chairs are designed to fit into the home's decor and are available in luxury, gentle and casual lift modes.

Personal Mobility Vehicles (PMVs) have great mileage (up to 25 miles before recharge) and can be used for long rides -- even for golf.

The Hercules 3000 Lift is a power lift for wheelchairs with easy assembly and disassembly operations. The Hercules has a dynamic braking system and is provided with various docking devices that are suitable for any scooter or Jazzy.

Electric Wheel Chairs Info provides detailed information about electric wheelchair lifts and scooters, used electric wheelchairs, electric indoor wheelchairs, Medicare, electric wheelchair reviews, and more. Electric Wheel Chairs Info is the sister site of Scooters Web.

A Review Of The National Wheel-O-Vator and Stannah Wheelchair Stair Lift

Very few companies make genuine wheelchair stair lifts; Wheel-O-Vator and Stannah are two that make excellent stair lifts for wheelchairs. Both are have very similar features with some minor differences.

Just about all stair lifts comprise a mechanized chair that travel along a track that is mounted on to the stairs. These handicap stair lifts have improved the lives of many people who are handicapped or who have difficult walking up and down stairs. However, these stair lifts require that the person using them has the ability to lift themselves on and off the chair unaided. Unfortunately, for those who are wheelchair bound this is not usually possible and so chair stair lifts don't provide the solution to home mobility.

Wheelchair stair lifts can provide access to all floors but there are a number of issues and most domestic homes are unsuitable for these lifts. Most domestic stairways are too narrow to accommodate the platform and secondly, the track must be fitted on to a load bearing wall. But if the house is suitable then two companies provide inclined wheelchair stair lifts.

Features of the Pegasus inclined wheelchair stair lift from Wheel-O-Vator.

1. The bi-directional safety ramp sensors not only provide protection for the user of the Pegasus Handicap stair lifts, but also for other people on the stairway.

2. Each platform is custom measured and built for the exact requirement of the user.

3. The platforms folds up to clear the stairway using only a space of 12 1/2" from the wall.

4. The platform can turn inwards and outwards to fit all stairways shapes.

5. Access to the platform is from either the front or side.

6. The side access ramps on the platform lift up to secure the wheelchair.

7. The safety barrier arms and access ramps are mechanically locked and electrically monitored during travel.

Features of the Stairiser CR wheelchair stair lift from Stannah

1. The stair lift is fully automatic, with electrically controlled folding platform and barrier arms that lock into position when in use.

2. The platform will stop immediately when any obstruction is encountered.

3. Access to the platform is from either the front or side.

4. The side access ramps on the platform lift up to secure the wheelchair.

5. The platform folds away against a smooth rail when not in use, leaving ample room to allow others to use the stairway.

6. Fold down seats are available as an option.

7. The Stairiser CR can be used internally and externally.

8. The platform can turn both inwards and outwards.

9. There is a choice of 4 platform sizes.

10. The platform can carry a maximum weight of 225kg

Both the Wheel-O-Vator and Stannah wheelchair stair lifts require an onsite inspection. Installation can be quite quick depending on the stairway; a wheelchair stair lift can be fitted in 3-4 days on a straight stairway.

The features offered by both companies are more or less the same. Choosing which wheelchair stair lift to buy will ultimately come down to price and 'extras' that your local dealer offers you. Whether you eventually choose the -O-Vator and Stannah wheelchair stair lift you can rest assured you'll be buying an excellent product.

Following the links for wheelchair stair lifts and handicap stair lifts from Stannah Stair Lifts.

Wheelchair Lifts Explained - The Different Types of Lifts to Keep the Disabled Mobile

Simply put, a wheelchair lift is a tool or piece of equipment used to elevate or lift wheelchairs. This device is particularly helpful to people who have difficulty in stepping up when they use their wheelchairs. It can operate either by electricity or hydraulics, but on occasions when there's power failure, it can still function manually. Generally speaking, lifts can either be designed as a retracting platform or a fold-up lifting apparatus. In the same way that you choose a wheelchair, you also have to employ careful consideration in selecting a lift to go with it. After all, your decision can help spell the difference between comfort and inconvenience.

Lifts can be used both in hospitals and at home. Which is no surprise, because it only takes a relatively short amount of time to install, and is practically maintenance free. In addition to that, it features a non-slip platform, safety barrier and railing, and even pressure switches. To help you in the selection of a lift suitable for you or someone you're buying it for, here are the different types of wheelchair lifts:

Inclined platform wheelchair lifts - Inclined platform lifts are designed with a major consideration in mind: they can be used both indoors and outdoors. If you or the person who will use it is quite flexible in his/her activities, then this type of wheelchair lift is definitely worth checking out. It can be used in a wide variety of places, from private houses and offices, to churches and schools. It is especially helpful when climbing stairs.

Portable wheelchair lifts - If the person who will use the lift is very mobile and always on the go, then getting a portable wheelchair lift is a good option. This kind of lift is also sometimes referred to as mobilift - and with good reason. It is easy to bring along practically anywhere, like outdoor bleachers and vertical raised platforms.

Vertical platform wheelchair lifts - If you're thinking more along the lines of commercial application, then you might want to have a look at a vertical platform lift. This kind of lift is designed to function in just that area. Alternatively, you can also use it as a home elevator.

Portable Vertical lifts - A portable vertical wheelchair lift hints of its flexible function in its name: it can be used both as a portable and vertical lift.

Nathan Mattel is a disability consultant who works with patients requesting wheelchairs San Diego. With over 15 years of experience in manual and electric wheelchair consulting for the San Diego disability community, he can help you find the right wheelchair for you or your loved one.

Being in a Wheel Chair And Living Life to the Fullest

Life is good when lived in freedom--the freedom to choose, to achieve, to discover, to do what one wishes to do, to go places where one wills to go. It may not be perfect, but it will be great if one chooses to make it this way. Happiness they say is after all a state of mind. But what if such freedom was constrained so that where one wishes to go, one cannot do without the aid of a machine? Will life still be the same? If you go looking for a person who claims he/she has never been sick from the time he/she was born, you must be staring at someone out of his/her own mind, a walking miracle or plainly a liar.

For the most part, the latter would hail to be true. In today's modern society, we are made more aware of the needs of the handicapped and the disabled, especially those with in wheel chairs. Since the world is an imperfect place and we are housed in imperfect bodies, life could prove to be very challenging, all the more those confined with life in a wheelchair. As everything is a choice, one can still choose to be happy, productive, busy and even very rewarding in a wheelchair.

Being in a wheelchair, the whole world would seem much bigger; people walking on their own two feet will seem much taller than you. Sometimes people don't even see you and actually even stumble over you. Like all things, the good and the bad--well-meaning people on the other hand, will want to push you or do things for you. You can of course do these things for yourself to help you maintain that own sense of independence and self-esteem.

Being in a wheelchair, also gives you bumps along the way like how a wheelchair ramp that's a little too steep can make you gulp and unless you can afford a car especially equipped for your disability, you have to depend upon friends for rides or special public transportation. It's also how you acquire your weekly groceries. It may even surprise you to know that even in a wheelchair, you can accomplish all these things! It sure would be nice to go to the beach or the mountains occasionally.

Being in a wheelchair, isn't at all that bad. I mean able-bodied people of all ages, although they become understandably angry, frightened, easily frustrated and lose hope when accidents or illness limits them to a life in a wheelchair, should always look to the deeper meaning of their lives. Anyway, your condition may only be temporary like minor spinal cord injuries that are expected to improve with time through a period of intense physical therapy and avoiding weight bearing on your legs via crutches, casts and spending several months in a wheel chair. Of course, some conditions are permanent, causing irreversible paralysis of the lower limbs. This is always bad news. The news, however, could be even worse if you refuse to gracefully accept your limitations and make the very best life for yourself in a wheel chair.

Being in a wheelchair doesn't change who you are as a person. Many disable people are still able to live productive and happy lives despite being in a wheelchair. they hold jobs, they raise families, they contribute to their community and their country, and they are as financially and physically independent as they could possibly be.

Fulfillment in life does not require one to walk on two feet or be fully equipped with the perfect abled body. Living your life to the fullest even in a wheelchair can allow you equal or even a greater sense of fulfillment if you choose to make it happen. After all it is not our physical bodies that rise up to the challenges of life, but more so our spirits that are not limited to the confines of our physical bodies that is able to exceed and go beyond what society and human capacity can conquer.

CLICK HERE: In A Wheel Chair [http://www.wheelchairsonsalenow.com/living-life-to-the-fullest-in-a-wheel-chair.html] Also on Our Popular Wheel Chairs On Sale Site: Wheel Chair Transport A Site Full Of Wheel Chair Sales & Resources. Brand Names For Less! Find Wheel Chairs On Sale [http://www.wheelchairsonsalenow.com/].

Wooden Wheelchair Ramp Building and Seven Things You Must Know

I have recently noticed a great deal of interest in information on building wooden wheelchair ramps. While I recently wrote an article that covered the building of concrete ramps here at my own residence. I thought I would cover building a wooden wheelchair ramp. I have in the past built several wooden ramps.

Wooden ramps come in a wide range of sizes and materials. So we will cover the general rules you must follow in order to build a sturdy and most importantly safe wooden wheelchair ramp. I say most of all safe because I have seen and even used some wooden ramps that to my mind were more dangerous than not having a ramp. There are seven thing you must know in order to build a safe and sturdy wooden ramp.

1. Do I really need a wooden ramp here or would something else be better?

2. Remember the rules of ramp building. Your angle is 1:2 or 1" rise = 12" run, every 30" rise a landing of 60" long. Avoid long runs break them up if you can.

3. Materials must pressure treated or rated for outdoor use. Use stainless steel or galvanized carriage bolts and screws. You'll round footing forms and post brackets as well.

4. The tools you will need are very basic. You will need a hand saw or circular saw. A drill with a 1/2" bit to drill holes for the carriage bolts. A ratchet to tighten the nuts. A tape measure, a carpenters square, level, and cordless drill driver are other tools you will need. You will also need a post hole digger and a shovel.

5. Any structure is only as good as it's foundation. So we take special care with the footings of our wheelchair ramp. They should be place every six feet forming a 6' x 4' rectangle with a post bracket embedded in the top.

6. Don't make it too steep. Always check your angle and use the ratio. If it is too steep the user won't make it up.

7. Put it together right! Use screws for the decking and nuts and bolts at all the joints. Think of the ramp as a bridge for a wheelchair and build it as such. Don't just nail it together.

As we can see building a wooden wheelchair ramp is not a simple undertaking. It is however within the skill level of the average do-it-yourself builder. And while I wrote an article covering the building of a concrete ramp it was a rather simple threshold ramp you would encounter in typical slab construction home. I would not however recommend a concrete ramp project of the scale I have just described for the do-it-yourself builder unless you have prior experience with concrete projects of this scale.

My name is Gary M Renick and I am a 55 year old retired engineer. I have be handicapped since the age of three when I was stricken by polio. I have spent the last 37 years confined to a wheelchair. The last five in a power chair as I now suffer from Post Polio Syndrome. My experience as a wheelchair user helps me to write about accessibility problems and solutions. My blog is called "Ask Gary ADA" and it deals with answers to accessibility problems and other handicap issues and changing government policy. You can visit my site at http://www.askgaryada.com

Wheelchair Accessories

A person who is confined to a wheelchair can do a lot to customize it in order to make it attractive and comfortable. Just because being in a wheelchair is unavoidable does not mean that it has to be entirely uncomfortable. This realization has resulted in a growing demand for wheelchair accessories of all types. As a result, there are many companies that specialize in the manufacture and sale of good quality accessories for all sorts of wheelchairs.

If you visit other people in their homes a lot using your wheelchair, then wheel covers are absolutely essential. They will prevent your wheels from carrying dirt into the homes and offices you enter.

A wheelchair tray is another accessory, and it helps a person keep things in from of them without having to hold it in their hands or in their lap. Similarly, a wheelchair backpack can be fitted to the back of the wheelchair, even a motorized wheelchair, so that the user can carry all sorts of essential things there. Some of these backpacks have multiple pockets that can be used to carry mobile phones, money, cosmetics or bottled water within easy reach. If the person requires it his or her wheelchair can also be fitted with a cane holder.

These accessories cover a whole lot of functions, and they are very helpful in reducing the inconvenience caused by having to use a manual or motorized wheelchairs. There are many interesting accessories available, and you should find out exactly which ones will help you the most before you decide on buying any one. You obviously cannot buy every accessory you see, and you will have to limit your choice to the most useful ones.

Bebo is concerned about accessibility for everyone because it personally affects his life. A member of his family uses motorized wheelchair and this fact led him to start a website/blog on motorized wheelchairs

Funding Options and Sources For Your Wheelchair

The wheelchair, an equipment to help paraplegic get greater freedom and independence, might be affordable to most families, but to some, this cost might be a whole year's savings. If you are in need for some funding to help you get that wheelchair, this article is a good resource to help you out, as we discuss a few funding options and sources.

1. The Rehabilitation Technology Suppliers (RTS) also known as Durable Medical Equipment sales assistant (DME) are the professionals who sell, service, and maintain the functionality of wheelchairs. Being the expert in the industry, they know the US funding system well and can help a great deal to get funding for their customers. In fact, some of the larger RTS companies in the market even hire a funding or reimbursement specialists to help customers work with insurance companies and other suitable sources, depending on your circumstances, to get payment and claims. Currently, there is also a new trend for Managed Care Organization (MCO) and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) to refer their customers to the DMEs that they own.

2. Medicaid - a joint Federal State program to pay for medical services for eligible low income and unfortunate families can be also a source of funding for your wheelchair. The covered services and funding for adults may vary in the state you live in, nevertheless a comprehensive sets of services called Early Periodic Screening, Diagnosis and Treatment (EPSDT) are provided for children till twenty-one years old.

3. Waivers for children who use wheelchairs known as "Katy Beckett Waivers" are also available in most states. This waiver allows low-income families to apply for a waiver. The waiver would makes the child qualified for Medicaid funding that can be used in combination with the family's health insurance. Other kinds of waivers are also provided for the needs of children with other special diagnoses or disabilities.

4. Another important source of funds is Medicare. Medicare Part A covers you while you are in a health care facility, providing you with the necessary wheelchair and medical equipment needed. Medicare Part B covers a range of outpatient health care services like health insurance policy and this is the part of Medicare that pays for wheelchairs. Medicare has very clear guidelines about what type of wheelchairs one can buy namely - The wheelchair must be required in order to provide a safe and functional means to get around inside the house. The usage of the wheelchair must fit this guideline, as Medicare is only concern about funding wheelchairs for use within the home. Therefore all documentation, the letters of justification and the Certificates of Medical Necessity (CMN), must support and explain the need for the wheelchair within the home.

So now the first thing you need to do is, to determine which DMERC is responsible for your state. The DMERC Link will give you the toll free number for the DMERC for your state. Besides an 800 number, each DMERC has information in various formats to help you with any questions regarding equipment, a claim or an appeal.

These are the available options that Americans can use should they need any assistance in funding for a wheelchair and if the respective authority reckons that based on the individual circumstances, the applicant is eligible for the grant or benefits then he will get funds for the wheelchair.

Moses Wright is the webmaster of WheelchairUser.net. He provides more helpful information on Wheelchair, Wheelchair Ramps and Wheelchair Lift that you can learn in the comfort of your home on his website. You are welcome to reprint this article if you keep the content and live link intact.